APH
Source: www.excavations.ie Database of Irish Excavations Reports
Galway 1972:0015 ATHENRY Castle M512288
An investigation was undertaken outside the southern bawn wall at AthenryCastle to establish whether or not there was a moat. No definite moat profile appeared. A flimsy dry stone wall stood on the boulder clay 3m out from the wall; this looked like a revetment wall, but it was buried in a fill nearly 2m deep, so its function has been long obsolete.
The Castle stands at the north—east corner of the town walls and a probable moat can still be traced outside the north and east sides of the Castle, those sides being outside the town wall; on the south and west a moat was probably considered unnecessary, as adequate protection would have been afforded on the south by the town wall projecting southwards from the east bawn wall, and the river flowing outside it.
Miss C. Foley, National Parks and Monuments Branch, Office of Public Works
Galway 1985:28 ATHENRY Fosse of Town Wall M505278
A 1.50m. wide cutting was made across the rubbish-filled fosse/moat outside that portion of Athenry town wall between the castle and the site of the former Brittin Gate in the NE. part of the town. This part of the fosse had been lived in until well into the present century, and only the bottom 20-25cm. of the fill of the fosse seemed to be ancient. The fosse was relatively flat-bottomed, 1.70m. deep and almost 5.50m. wide. It would have been water-filled originally, being about 1.50m. lower than the present river surface at the castle. The original town wall at this point remained to a height of 1.35m., the lower 60cm. of which projected to form a 20-30cm. wide plinth. No ancient finds, and no clear evidence of an outer containing bank, were discovered.
Etienne Rynne, Department of Archaeology, UniversityCollegeGalway
Galway 1990:054 ATHENRY CASTLE Medieval castle M512288
AthenryCastle is located at the north-eastern end of Athenry town; excavation of this National Monument was undertaken on behalf of the Office of Public Works in advance of conservation works. Construction of the castle is dated by documentary evidence to between 1235-1241. The rectangular keep stands isolated within the (much restored) curtain walls which form part of the town’s mural defences. Previous excavation in 1972 by C. Foley did not elucidate if the townward side of the castle was surrounded by a ditch. Eight areas within the ward were opened for investigation. No substantial deposits of medieval date were uncovered and excavation did not resolve the problematic question of the exact location and nature of the medieval entrance way. Excavation of a cesspit (trench 4) adjacent to the garderobe produced artefactual and environmental remains which can be associated with the occupation of the castle. Finds include a bone comb and weaving pin and fragments of Saintonge green glazed and polychrome pottery.
With the exception of a (residual) fragment of l5th-l6th-century German stoneware, no evidence was uncovered of later medieval occupation. Excavation in the southern and south-western corner of the site revealed considerable post-medieval and later activity. A number of structural remains, some visible prior to excavation, were uncovered. All of these structures appear to have had an industrial rather than domestic function and are probably roughly contemporaneous.
Cliona Papazian, c/o Office of Public Works, Dublin
Galway 1996:147 SWANGATE, ATHENRY Zone of archaeological potential M502271 SMR 84:1 96E377
A small housing development commenced at the site of Swangate, Athenry, in November 1996 without a pre-development archaeological assessment, which had not been requested as part of the planning process. The matter was reported to the National Monuments Service and recommendations were made immediately to the effect that the on-site building work should be suspended pending archaeological testing.
This was carried out in December 1996, and comprised the mechanical excavation of one trial-trench, parallel with the foundations of the development. The stratigraphy encountered was mainly shallow and had modern inclusions. At the south-west end of the trench a U-shaped cut was observed, 1.4m in depth below ground level, with a smaller, D-shaped cut located adjacent to it on the north. There were occasional finds of animal bone from the fill of the larger of the cuts, but no other material was recovered.
Anne Connolly, Archaeological Services Unit Ltd, Oranmore Industrial Park, Claregalway Rd. Oranmore, Co. Galway.
Galway 1997:191 ATHENRY No archaeological significance SMR 84:1 97E0180
Archaeological pre-development testing was carried out in advance of a proposed housing scheme in Athenry, Co. Galway, in May 1997. Four test-trenches were excavated.
No archaeological features or finds were recovered from any of the trenches.
Gerry Walsh, Rathbawn Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Galway 1997:192 BARRACK LANE, ATHENRY Anglo-Norman town 15022 22771 SMR 84:1 97E0150
Archaeological test excavation was carried out in advance of a proposed residential development at Barrack Lane, Athenry, Co. Galway, in May 1997. The site, measuring approximately 35m2, is situated at the east end of Barrack Lane and lies directly across the road from the ruins of the medieval Dominican friary. Though an Anglo-Norman foundation, the friary owed much to native Irish patronage, with the O’Connors, O’Heynes and O’Kellys all contributing to its early development. The monastery was extensively damaged by fire in 1423, necessitating large-scale rebuilding. In 1574 it was dissolved and granted to the town, and in 1627 the friary was granted to Galway merchants, who allowed the friars to return and restored all the buildings. The Cromwellians expelled the friars in 1652 and the friary was a ruin by the end of the century. The conventual buildings were demolished about 1750 to make way for a military barracks.
A mass concrete house and stone shed were demolished in advance of the excavation, and four medieval dressed stones and architectural fragments were recovered from the stone dump. The stones were probably taken from the nearby friary church and reused as cornerstones in the construction of the shed. Following demolition, four test-trenches were excavated at the site. The stratigraphy was consistent across the excavated area. The topsoil consisted of a dark brown silty clay with inclusions of roots, pebbles, cobbles and flecks of charcoal. It was 0.25m deep and overlay a mid-brown silty clay with inclusions of roots, pebbles, animal bone, brick, mortar and flecks of charcoal. These silty clays produced several modern pottery sherds and glass fragments. A naturally occurring light grey medium sand and gravel was encountered at 0.7m below the old ground level. A fill of stones and redeposited soil was uncovered at the eastern end of the trenches. This fill appears to be associated with the banking of the small stream (River Clareen) which forms the eastern site boundary. No archaeological deposits or features were encountered.
Dominic Delany, No. 1 The Mews, Mill Street, Galway.
Galway 1998:230 ATHENRY HOUSE, CROSS STREET. ATHENRY Urban medieval 15022 22771 SMR 94:1 98E0432
Test-excavation was undertaken in advance of planning, from 28 September to 8 October 1998. The site lies immediately south of the modern town and comprises c. 8.5 acres of unenclosed pastureland. The ruins of the imposing early 19th-century Athenry House and its associated coach-house and outbuildings lie towards the north-west end of the site. The site is within the bounds of the Anglo-Norman town, which was founded by Meiler de Bermingham in around 1235. A 75m stretch of the medieval town wall forms the south boundary of the site, and the site of the Spitle Gate, a postern into the medieval town, lies in the southern corner of the site. It has been suggested that the gate probably gets its name from a hospital that must have stood in this area, away from the inhabited part of the town. There is no evidence to suggest that this part of the town was settled in the medieval period.
Ten test-trenches were excavated at locations corresponding to the footprint of the proposed development. The trenches were 1m wide and varied from 40m to 100m long. The main features of archaeological significance were linear cuts in Trenches 1 and 3 and a curvilinear cut in Trench 3. The linear cuts appear to be associated and probably form part of a continuous feature. This feature is orientated north-east/south-west and averages 0.75m wide. The upper fill consists of a grey, silty clay containing pebbles, cobbles, boulders and flecks of charcoal. In Trench 1 this deposit overlies an organic, mid-brown, silty clay with inclusions of cobbles, oyster shell, animal and bird bone, flecks of charcoal, burnt wood fragments and occasional boulders. A similar deposit of dark brown/black, organic material was encountered nearby and appears to be associated with the linear cut. This deposit yielded a fine rim/spout sherd of Saintonge pottery, suggesting a medieval date for this feature.
The curvilinear cut in Trench 3 is 0.9m wide, and the upper fill comprises a dark grey, sandy clay with frequent inclusions of pebbles, cobbles, shell, bone and flecks of charcoal. No finds were recovered from the fill, but it appears to represent a feature of archaeological interest, possibly an enclosure ditch. In addition to these features several areas of archaeological potential were identified during testing, and some of the trenches yielded unstratified sherds of medieval and post-medieval pottery wares.
Dominic Delany, 31 Ashbrook, Oranmore, Co. Galway.
Galway 1998:231 CROSS STREET, ATHENRY Urban 98E0553
Pre-development testing in the form of trial trenches took place to establish the nature and extent of any archaeological features or deposits at Cross Street, Athenry, Co. Galway. Three trenches were mechanically excavated, with nothing of archaeological significance uncovered.
Martin Fitzpatrick, Archaeological Consultancy, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 1998:232 NORTH GATE STREET, ATHENRY No archaeological significance 98E0131
This project involved the monitoring of foundation trenches at North Gate Street, Athenry, Co. Galway. No features, deposits or artefacts of archaeological significance were revealed during monitoring.
Fiona Rooney, Archaeological Consultancy, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 1998:233 NORTH GATE STREET, ATHENRY Urban 98E0141
This project involved the monitoring of ground disturbance associated with the development of three apartments on first-floor level with parking and toilet facilities at ground-floor level, at North Gate Street, Athenry, Co. Galway.
The removal of a modern concrete surface revealed a cobbled stone surface at the north end of the site. Measuring 7.5m long and 3m wide, these cobbles indicated the original ground surface of a shed. The cobbles comprised rounded limestone laid on a bed of sand. A 20th-century date for this surface was confirmed by the discovery of pottery underneath the cobbles. No further features or artefacts of archaeological significance were encountered during monitoring.
Martin Fitzpatrick, Archaeological Consultancy, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 1998:234 D.H. BURKES, NORTHGATE STREET, ATHENRY Urban 15022 2277 SMR 84:1 98E0599
This work was undertaken on 15 December 1998. The proposed development involves the construction of a number of commercial and residential blocks, with carparking facilities. The proposed site, currently being used as a carpark, lies within the medieval town of Athenry, to the west of North Gate Street opposite St Mary’s Collegiate church, and is bordered on its north and north-west by the medieval town wall. The NorthTower, in ruins, stands in the north-west corner of the site. Testing involved the mechanical excavation of three trenches.
Trench 1, 30m x 1m and 0.7m deep, was orientated west-north-west/east-south-east and was positioned to run through the centre of the site. In general, hard-core lay above the grey, sandy subsoil. At 3m from the eastern limit of the trench a dark brown, compact, silty material with frequent small stones was found. It contained fragments of red brick and glass sherds and lay above the subsoil.
Trench 2, 10m x 1m, had a similar stratigraphy to Trench 1.
Trench 3, 30m x 1m, contained the brown, compact layer seen in Trench 1, as well as, in the west of the trench, a friable, orange/brown clay layer, 4.5m long and 0.8m deep. It overlay natural.
Judging from the extant medieval features it is possible that the present ground surface has been considerably reduced in recent years. It appears on the evidence of the test-trenches that the proposed development poses no threat to the immediate archaeological environment.
Billy Quinn, 1c The Market, Ennis, Co. Clare, for Archaeological Services Unit Ltd.
Galway 1999:282 IVYMOUNT HOUSE, BAUNMORE, ATHENRY Adjacent to St Bridget’s Church 15030 22704 99E0238
The proposed development is c. 400m south of the Athenry town wall, close to the ‘Spital Gate’ entrance. In the front garden of the house to be developed are the remains of St Bridget’s Church, which is likely to be medieval in date. The development consisted of the demolition of the porch to the east of the house and the construction of a new extension at this location. In accordance with planning conditions, it was recommended that the excavation of foundation trenches be monitored. No structural remains or features of archaeological significance were evident during monitoring.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 1999:283 CHAPEL LANE, ATHENRY Anglo-Norman town 15022 22770 99E0034
As this development lay in the zone of archaeological potential, pre-development testing in the form of trial-trenches was recommended. The mechanical excavation of six trenches revealed no evidence of features/deposits of archaeological significance. The trenches were excavated to a maximum depth of 1m. In the northern end of the site the stratigraphy consisted of a layer of orange boulder clay, 2m deep, overlying a grey, sandy gravel layer. In the southern end the garden soil was found to overlie the grey, sandy gravel layer. The layers present consisted of made-up ground or natural.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 1999:284 COURT LANE, ATHENRY Anglo-Norman town 15022 22771 99E0655
Monitoring of groundworks associated with the installation of new ESB cables along Court Lane, Athenry, Co. Galway, was recommended as this development lay in the zone of archaeological potential and was close to Athenry Castle. Funding for this project was provided by Galway County Council.
A trench was excavated (120m long, 0.5m wide and 0.25-0.45m deep) along an existing stone wall of the park. The stratigraphy revealed little of archaeological significance. The only material of interest was loose stones found in the vicinity of the original town wall. Their presence may indicate disturbance of this feature, but, as the trench excavated was shallow (0.25m), it was not possible to determine whether the original foundations of the wall still exist. Elsewhere the stratigraphy consisted of mixed foundations of the road and park wall with occasional modern finds.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 1999:285 CROSS STREET, ATHENRY Anglo-Norman town 15032 22768 99E0070
The proposed development concerned the erection of two stores and the extension to the rear of the present building. The development is within the zone of archaeological potential of Athenry, and therefore pre-development testing was required.
Three trenches were mechanically excavated. The stratigraphy revealed indicated no evidence of features/deposits of archaeological significance. The layers present consisted of a dark brown garden soil overlying the natural.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 1999:286 NORTH GATE STREET, ATHENRY Urban 99E0031
This project involved the demolition of the existing structure and the construction of a new dwelling-house at North Gate Street, Athenry, Co. Galway. As the proposed development was beside St Mary’s parish church and within the zone of archaeological potential, the monitoring of foundations was necessary.
The work took place on 23 January 1999. The monitoring revealed no features of archaeological significance. The stratigraphy encountered consisted of 19th/20th-century dump material beneath the concrete surface.
Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway
Galway 2000:0363 CAHERROYN ROAD, ATHENRY Medieval 15042 22805 00E0353
The proposed development concerned the extension to the rear of an existing dwelling and a domestic store. As it is located in the zone of archaeological potential for Athenry, monitoring of foundation trenches was recommended.
Monitoring revealed a brown layer, 0.4m deep, which contained fragments of modern glass. This lay over an orange-brown, natural boulder clay. No evidence of features/deposits of archaeological significance was revealed. The layer present was made-up ground of a modern date.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2000:0364 KNOCKAUNGLASS, ATHENRY Adjacent to town wall 00E0841
The proposed development is located on the east side of the road leading from Athenry to Craughwell, adjacent to the medieval town wall. It involves the construction of two new apartments, and it was recommended that pre-development testing be carried out.
Three trenches were mechanically excavated. The layers present consisted of concrete and hardcore and a light brown garden soil overlying natural. No structural remains nor anything of archaeological significance was evident in the course of trial-trenching or monitoring.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2000:0365 RAHEEN, ATHENRY Medieval archaeological complex M498277 00E0364
The proposed development is located in the town of Athenry, adjacent to the town wall. An assessment of the proposed development, undertaken in March 2000, identified a number of possible archaeological features in the area that would be directly affected by the development. These consisted of Feature A, a north-west/south-east-running bank; Feature B, a D-shaped enclosure; and Feature C, a ditch running north–south.
Excavation of Feature A revealed a bank, with a ditch on either side, which appeared to have been levelled in antiquity. One fragment of Saintonge pottery was found in the trench, indicating a medieval date for this feature. It is likely that this feature was a field boundary. The furrows revealed in the course of the trial-trenching run in the same direction as the bank.
Two trenches excavated in the area of the D-shaped enclosure revealed a much-denuded bank, again indicating that the site had been levelled in antiquity. No features or deposits were found within the interior. Finds included fragments of medieval pottery, animal bone and one fragment of Saintogne pottery, indicating a medieval date.
Feature C in the west of the area of the proposed development consisted of a ditch, which appeared to have been filled with stone. Finds from this layer consisted primarily of iron fragments and iron nails.
Test excavations in the centre of the area revealed three small deposits with charcoal. However, they formed no cut, and no finds were found associated with them. They may represent archaeological activity in the central area.
The pre-development testing in the area of the proposed development revealed a certain amount of activity dating to the medieval period.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2001:480 ATHENRY No archaeological significance 1505 2278 RMP 84:1 01E0027
A rescue excavation was carried out between 17 and 19 January 2001, following unapproved excavations adjacent to St Mary’s Church and graveyard, Athenry, Co. Galway, in response to recommendations made by Dúchas. The excavation was required because of the proximity of the site to the medieval church and graveyard and its location within the medieval town of Athenry.
The site consisted of a small plot/garden, enclosed by high, mortared rubble walls, to the north-east of St Mary’s Church and graveyard, the graveyard being located across the south-west boundary wall of the site.
Three trenches were cleaned off across the excavated area to ascertain what, if any, archaeological material had been removed. The trenches were 10.5–19m long and 1m wide. Two sondages were excavated in the unexcavated part of the site. They measured 1m by 1m by 0.76–0.9m deep.
The stratigraphy in the trenches consisted of a dark brown/black friable silt loam (garden soil) above orange/brown sandy clay loam and grey loamy sand (natural subsoils). The stratigraphy in the sondages consisted of dark brown friable silt loam (garden soil) and a layer of pebbles (remains of a path) on the surface, above grey friable loamy sand (natural subsoil) and modern rubble. A possible cut was located below the dark brown friable silt loam in one of the sondages. The limits of the sondage were too restrictive to positively identify it as a cut/pit or as a natural slope/feature.
Modern artefacts were recovered from the excavation which pointed to the site’s use as a garden in relatively modern times.
Richard Crumlish, Archaeological Services Unit Ltd, Purcell House, Claregalway Road, Oranmore, Co. Galway.
Galway 2001:481 ATHENRY No archaeological significance 01E0380
Monitoring of pipe-trenching between Carnmore and Ballydavid reservoirs and Athenry revealed no areas or items of archaeological interest.
Markus Casey, for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, 15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Galway 2001:482 ATHENRY Urban 01E0460
Monitoring of previously opened slit-trenches and replacement of water pipes within the town revealed no area that had not been previously disturbed by earlier roadwork or pipe-laying schemes.
Markus Casey, for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, 15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Galway 2001:483 ATHENRY No archaeological significance 01E0461
Monitoring of the construction of a temporary access road in Ballydavid townland from the hilltop reservoir to the adjacent road showed that a thin covering of topsoil lay directly on the bedrock. No features of archaeological interest were uncovered.
Markus Casey, for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, 15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Galway 2001:484 ATHENRY No archaeological significance 01E0462
Test excavations on the site of a reservoir in a field of pasture and outcropping rock close to the remains of a tower-house uncovered a thin layer of topsoil directly on top of the underlying limestone bedrock. Nothing of archaeological value was found.
Markus Casey, for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, 15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Galway 2001:485 BARRACK LANE. ATHENRY No archaeological significance 01E0847
Pre-development testing was undertaken in compliance with a condition of planning permission. It was concerned with the demolition of an extension to the rear of a dwelling-house and the construction of a single-storey extension to the rear of same.
Two trenches were mechanically excavated. In Trench A (8m by 1m) the removal of sod uncovered a mixed brown layer (0.6m in depth) with moderate stone inclusions. Fragments of red brick and pottery of 20th-century date were recovered from this layer. Underlying this was a grey/yellow boulder clay. In Trench B (7m by 1m) the stratigraphy was similar, with a brown clayey subsoil underlying the surface and overlying the natural boulder clay. No features/deposits of archaeological significance were encountered in either of the trenches.
Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2001:486 CROSS STREET. ATHENRY No archaeological significance 15022 22771 01E0096
The development was situated on Cross Street, Athenry, and concerned the renovation of and an extension to a public house. The location of the development in a zone of archaeological potential necessitated pre-development testing. Three trenches were mechanically excavated. The stratigraphy revealed did not indicate any evidence of features/deposits of archaeological significance. The layers present were comprised of a concrete surface and gravel layer, a stony rubble layer, a blackish brown silty layer and the natural bedrock. Finds included occasional modern glass, red brick and fragments of 20th-century pottery. The proposed extension on the site will involve the removal of soil for a depth of 0.45–0.5m. This work would not appear to affect any archaeological layers.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2002:0706 ABBEY ROW. ATHENRY Anglo-Norman town 15022 22771 SMR 84:1 02E1573
Pre-development testing took place before the construction of two dwelling-houses and associated services at Abbeyrow, Athenry, on a site occupied by a 19th-century national school. Monitoring of the demolition of the school building revealed no features of archaeological significance. Five trenches were mechanically excavated. The stratigraphy consisted of demolition rubble overlying a natural gravel layer that extended for a depth of 0.8–1m, suggesting that the schoolhouse had been built directly on a natural gravel deposit. No artefacts or features of archaeological significance were encountered.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2002:0707 CROSS STREET. ATHENRY No archaeological significance SMR 84:1 02E1758
Pre-development testing was undertaken at Cross Street, Athenry, which is within the medieval walls of the town. Two trenches were mechanically excavated, both oriented east–west, 13.5m long and 1m wide. Trench A was excavated to a depth of 0.8–0.9m, and Trench B to a maximum depth of 1m. The removal of the demolition debris revealed a stony rubble layer in both trenches. Occasional fragments of red brick and pottery were recovered from this layer, all of which were of late 20th-century date. Underlying this was a dark brown, silty clay layer with an average depth of 0.3m. There was no evidence of features/deposits of archaeological significance.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2004:0664 GORTEENACRA, ATHENRY No archaeological significance 15022 22771 SMR 84:1 04E0107
Pre-development testing was undertaken in compliance with a condition from Galway County Council. A single trench, located at the rear (north side) of an existing dwelling house, was mechanically excavated. The removal of sod uncovered a mixed grey layer with moderate stone inclusions. This layer extended for the length of the trench and was 0.3m in depth. Occasional fragments of glass and pottery were recovered from this layer, all of which were 20th century in date. Underlying this layer there was a grey/yellow boulder clay. No features or artefacts of archaeological significance were encountered.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2004:0665 NORTH GATE STREET, ATHENRY No archaeological significance 15022 22771 SMR 84:1 04E0977
Two trenches were mechanically excavated in the course of pre-development testing at North Gate Street, Athenry, Co. Galway. The stratigraphy revealed in Trenches A and B was similar and consisted of the concrete surface coming down onto a layer of rubble. This rubble overlay the natural gravel, which contained large boulders. No artefacts or features of archaeological significance were uncovered in these trenches, which were excavated to a maximum depth of 0.7m.
Fiona Rooney, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2004:0666 NORTH GATE STREET, ATHENRY No archaeological significance 15022 22770 SMR 84:1 04E1241
Pre-development testing was undertaken at an extension to a supermarket at North Gate Street, Athenry. A single trench was mechanically excavated. The stratigraphy revealed consisted of sod and topsoil 0.4m deep overlying a natural grey marl. No artefacts or features of archaeological significance were uncovered in the course of testing.
Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2005:552 ATHENRY Urban 15022 22771 SMR 84:1 05E1247
Pre-development testing was carried out at the request of Galway County Council on the site of a proposed new carpark on the Galway Road in Athenry between 17 and 25 November 2005. The proposed development site is a greenfield area located in the south-west part of the zone of archaeological potential established around the historic town of Athenry. The lands were formerly used as agricultural showgrounds and more recently as a football training field. The 1931 OS map names a ‘Leper Compound (disused)’ in the general vicinity of the development site.
Testing was confined to the proposed service runs, as it is proposed to raise most of the development site, thereby achieving preservation in situ of whatever archaeological remains may occur beneath the existing surface. Ten test-pits measuring 1.5m2 were manually excavated along the lines of the proposed service runs. The excavation revealed modern disturbance across the entire site area. This disturbance is probably a result of groundworks carried out when the site was converted for use as a training pitch. It was revealed that the site originally sloped away from the road to the south-east. This was evident from the fact that the original ground was truncated in the north-west part of the site, while the ground levels were built up in the south-east. The pits excavated in the north-west part of the site were shallow, averaging just 0.25m in depth, and there was clear evidence that the ground had been truncated during previous works at the site. However, the pits excavated in the south-east part of the site presented a completely different picture, with up to 1m of fill overlying the original topsoil. A substantial number of artefacts were recovered from the topsoil and redeposited material in the excavated pits. Most of the finds were modern, but seven post-medieval and five late medieval pottery sherds were included in the assemblage. No archaeological features or deposits were uncovered during testing.
Dominic Delany, Dominic Delany & Associates, Unit 3, Howley Court, Oranmore, Co. Galway.
Galway 2006:740 ATHENRY Pit complex and mound 22760 14900 GA084–014, GA084–101 06E0370
Testing took place in May 2006 on the lands of the Teagasc research farm, Athenry, on behalf of the Industrial Development Authority. Four known sites were located on the lands of the farm. Two of these, GA084–015 and GA084–016, were recorded as levelled subrectangular enclosures. A geophysical survey of the lands in advance of testing did not reveal any features that would suggest the presence of an enclosure. Subsequent testing of the sites by Colm Moriarity (see No. 747 below, 06E0107) did not find anything of archaeological significance.
The two remaining known sites were recorded as the site of a short cist in Newford (GA084–101) and an unclassified earthwork in Ballygarraun South (GA084–014), known locally as ‘MountShaw’. According to the National Museum of Ireland, the cist burials were found by workmen whilst digging a sand pit at the summit of a low hill in 1913. One cist contained a food vessel and skeletal remains; a perforated boar’s tusk likely to be a grave good was also found in one of the graves. A geophysical survey was undertaken in advance of the test excavation around these sites, which revealed one anomaly in the vicinity of the site of the cist. No features of archaeological significance were identified in the geophysical survey around the circumference of the earthwork.
The land in the vicinity of the site of the cist was mechanically tested, as was the land around the circumference of the earthwork. The earthwork was assessed on the basis of four hand-excavated trenches. The land in the vicinity of the site of the cist was assessed on the basis of three long test-trenches with several test-trenches offset at right angles. A total of nineteen test-trenches were excavated. The test-trenches revealed ten features of archaeological significance. Three of these features were shallow pits, none of which contained artefacts. The seven remaining features were regular/irregular-shaped spreads of clay, one of which produced five pieces of chert and a possible piece of burnt bone. The geophysical anomaly was not of any archaeological significance. The majority of the archaeological features were located on the gently sloping portion of the field, to the north-west of the RMP site.
Five test-trenches were mechanically excavated around the circumference of the earthwork. No features of archaeological significance were encountered during the excavation of the test-trenches. A low rectangular-shaped stone structure is located on the northern summit of the earthwork. Four test-trenches were excavated on the summit of the mound. Two test-trenches, perpendicular to each other, were excavated across the stone structure. The third test-trench was located to the west of the stone structure and the fourth was located on the gently sloping southern side of the mound. The test-trenches within the stone structure revealed a small area of collapse on both the northern and southern sides of the northern wall of the structure. A circular setting of stones probably represents the remains of a gate-like feature to restrict access to the structure. The trench contained a shallow cover of topsoil, which produced an earthen bottle plug and several pieces of animal bone. The topsoil deepened dramatically at the southern side of the stone wall. At the southern end of the trench the topsoil overlay a yellow silty clay. The perpendicular trench produced a sherd of medieval pottery as well as animal vertebrae, ribs and a shoulder. There was no evidence for a cut associated with the animal burial. The trench at the southern side of the mound consisted of a shallow cover of topsoil overlying mound material. The trench produced a small copper mount.
The test-trenching revealed several archaeological features in the vicinity of the site of the cist and the presence of archaeological material on the earthwork.
Eoin Sullivan, for Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd, 27, Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
Galway 2006:741 ATHENRY Urban 15022 22771 GA084–001 CO00156, E2467
Monitoring of broadband installation was undertaken over a period of three months from August 2006. The work involved the excavation of a trench 0.55–0.6m wide and 0.8m deep to facilitate the installation of broadband cables in the area of Athenry town. The trenches were excavated in the vicinity of the town wall, the Dominician abbey and the sites of the medieval gates of Swan/Loro Gate, Nicholas Gate, Brittin Gate and North Gate. Excavations through Old Church Street, McDonald’s Lane, Cross Street, Davis Street, Bridge Street and North Gate Street were also undertaken. Traces of 19th-century culverts were uncovered on North Gate Street and Cross Street. Manual excavations in the area of the town gates and walls revealed traces of the town wall 0.3m below the roadway in the vicinity of Loro Gate/Prospect. The wall was constructed of uncut limestone with traces of mortar throughout. The feature survived for two courses in height and measured 2.6m in width. No evidence for a moat was uncovered. The wall was covered over with a protective membrane and the broadband cables laid over the wall. Excavations throughout the remainder of the town revealed no features of archaeological significance. The stratigraphy indicated that the areas had previously been disturbed, with pipes, cables and services encountered throughout.
Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2006:742 CHURCH STREET. ATHENRY Urban 15020 22773 GA084–001 06E0177
Following consultation with National Monuments, it was recommended that testing should be undertaken in the area of a proposed pastoral centre south of the existing Roman Catholic church at Church Street Athenry. The proposed development would be located in the vicinity of the medieval town wall. Two trenches were excavated in the area of the development. The testing revealed archaeological features in the form of small pits at a depth of 0.9m. It was recommended that archaeological excavations be undertaken if the development was to proceed at this site.
Fiona Rooney, Arch Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2006:743 COURT LANE. ATHENRY Urban 15038 22799 GA084–001 06E0086
In February 2006 pre-development testing was undertaken as part of an assessment of a proposed development site at Court Lane, Athenry. The site was previously used as an abattoir and had a number of disused buildings. Two trenches were mechanically excavated in the course of testing. Both trenches were orientated north–south and measured 10m in length. The removal of the concrete surface in Trench A revealed a brown clay with modern plastic and glass inclusions. Excavation of this layer for a depth of 0.3m revealed the foundations of a stone wall running roughly east–west. The stones of the upper part of the wall were disturbed, but two courses of stonework were revealed extending for a depth of 0.45m. Immediately north of the wall a rubble layer was encountered, while to the south there was a grey gravel layer. Excavation of the gravel layer for a depth of 1m revealed a layer of compacted mortar. Finds from these layers included 19th-century ceramic ware and glass fragments. No features of archaeological significance were encountered in Trench B.
Examination of cartographic sources indicated a row of houses along Court Lane in the 19th century. All cartographic sources indicate the medieval town wall running in the vicinity of the area tested. It is possible that the foundation revealed is that of a 19th-century house that may have been constructed on top of the medieval town wall. It was recommended that further archaeological examination of the area should take place to determine if the wall uncovered is part of the original town wall.
Fiona Rooney, Arch Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2006:744 CROSS STREET, ATHENRY Urban GA084–001 06E0021
Two phases of pre-development testing were carried out on a proposed mixed-use development site at Cross Street, Athenry, Co. Galway, in January and November 2006. The site is located in the heart of the medieval town and consisted of an open courtyard area surrounded by dilapidated galvanised sheds with lofts above, and a dwelling house with a long garden plot to the rear.
The first phase of testing comprised the excavation of three trenches, 25–30m in length, in the courtyard area. A layer of modern overburden, 0.3m in thickness, covered the site. This generally overlay an old garden soil deposit, which varied between 0.3 and 0.5m in thickness and overlay orange/brown clay subsoil and grey coarse sand and gravel. Traces of a cobbled surface were exposed just below the existing yard surface. Several pits and linear features were also uncovered, but these were deemed to be relatively modern and of no archaeological significance. A second phase of testing was carried out in November 2006. This phase was concerned with the long garden plot to the rear of the dwelling and the footprint of the (now demolished) outbuildings. The stratigraphic sequence was similar to that recorded during the initial phase of testing. No archaeological material was uncovered.
Dominic Delany, Dominic Delany & Associates, Unit 3, Howley Court, Oranmore, Co. Galway.
Galway 2007:576 CHURCH STREET. ATHENRY Urban 15022 22771 GA084–001 07E0482
A proposed commercial development at Church Street, Athenry, required pre-development testing as a condition of planning permission. The development site is within the medieval town of Athenry and involved the demolition of an existing structure and construction of a new building. A single trench was excavated as part of the testing. The stratigraphy consisted of fill overlying bedrock, with 20th-century bottle and ceramic fragments recovered from the mixed fill. The recording of bedrock level at such a height within the town is interesting, as previous archaeological work in the vicinity did not reveal such a level.
Fiona Rooney, Arch Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway
Galway 2007:577 COURT LANE. ATHENRY Urban 15022 22770 GA084–001 07E0721
Pre-development testing and subsequent monitoring was undertaken at the site of a proposed dwelling house at Court Lane, Athenry. The development site is within the medieval town and adjacent to the castle, abbey and church. Two trenches excavated as part of the testing and monitoring of ground disturbance revealed no features of archaeological significance.
Fiona Rooney, Arch Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2007:578 CROSS STREET. ATHENRY Urban 15022 22771 GA084–001 E2900; C182
A programme of pre-development test-pitting was carried out on a proposed development site at Cross Street, Athenry, Co. Galway, on 10 and 11 April 2007. Nineteen test-pits, each measuring c. 2m2, were plotted on a 40m grid system and excavated using a tracked excavator fitted with a wide grading bucket. A total of fifteen features were uncovered. These comprised eight linear cuts, two subcircular features, three fire spots, a cobbled surface and a wall footing. The testing confirmed the findings of previous and more extensive programmes of testing at the site. There is much evidence of previous ground disturbance across the site, with a considerable depth of overburden present in some parts of the site and frequent cuts into the underlying subsoil. Much of the ground disturbance is considered to be associated with the development of Athenry House, but the site is known to retain considerable archaeological potential.
Dominic Delany, Dominic Delany & Associates, Unit 3, Howley Court, Oranmore, Co. Galway.
Galway 2007:579 GORTEENACRA. ATHENRY No archaeological significance 15023 22771 07E0755
Pre-development testing was undertaken at the site of a proposed commercial development at Gorteenacra on the outskirts of Athenry in CountyGalway. The development site is located in the vicinity of the medieval town and castle (GA084–001). Three trenches excavated as part of the testing revealed no features of archaeological significance. The stratigraphy consisted of sod and topsoil overlying natural layers.
Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.
Galway 2007:580 KNOCKAUNGLAS. ATHENRY Urban 150530 227800 GA084–001 07E0346
An impact assessment, including the results of text excavations, was carried out to comply with a condition of the planning permission granted for the proposed development. The development includes a long-term carpark together with junction improvements and ancillary works at a T-junction in Knockaunglass, Athenry, Co. Galway. The proposed development lies within the zone of archaeological potential surrounding Athenry town. It measures 0.138ha and is located to the east of the medieval town.
Four test-trenches were excavated across the footprint of the development site using a large tracked excavator fitted with a 1.5m-wide toothless bucket. The siting of the trenches was established with consideration for the footprint of the proposed development and they were concentrated in areas where the depth of proposed disturbance was to be at a maximum. Trenches 1–3 were excavated in a north–south direction. Trench 1 was excavated in the south-eastern area of the site and was 13.5m in length. Trench 2 was excavated in the north-eastern area of the site. There was a possible ditch running north-east to south-west and a 0.5m section was placed through the feature. The ditch appeared to be modern in nature and was quite shallow. Both Trenches 1 and 2 contained a lot of modern rubbish and debris visible throughout the excavated deposits. Trench 3 was excavated along the western side of the site and was 31.5m in length. A concrete slab covering one of two petrol tanks was located at the northern end of the trench, with another one located 8.5m from the southern end. There was a high density of cut stone noted in the fill towards the southern end of the trench. Trench 4 was excavated along the northern end of the site in an east–west direction and was 15.5m in length. Two petrol tanks were evident at the western end of the trench and there was also a 0.15m-thick layer of tarmac evident. This deposit may represent the forecourt of the pre-existing garage. Nothing of any archaeological significance was noted in any of the four excavated trenches.
Finn Delaney, Eachtra Archaeological Projects, Unit 10, KilkerrinPark, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway.
Galway 2008:507 ATHENRY Urban, medieval 15050 22750 GA084–001 E3995; C309
Limited excavation of areas around the base of the SouthEastTower, part of the Athenry medieval town defences, was undertaken at the request of Galway County Council. The excavation entailed three cuttings around the base of the tower (Cuttings 1–3). Excavation was limited to the overburden and sod layer down to undisturbed archaeological levels. The aim of the excavation was to recover stone that might have collapsed from the tower and town wall and to allow a stable ground level for scaffolding, which was to be erected to allow conservation works to commence on the tower itself.
Cutting 1 was situated to the south-east of the tower, outside the town walls. It measured 7.8m by 5m by 4.25m and revealed that a significant deposit of modern rubbish, probably dating from the 1990s, had been dumped at the base of the tower, and large stones, probably brought in from elsewhere, were used to cover this waste material. Underneath the sod a number of gravel and sandy layers were uncovered, which were not excavated. These layers possibly represent the build-up of waterborne materials in the area where there was a moat. Cartographic evidence shows the moat flooded up to at least the mid-19th century.
Cutting 2 was situated inside the town wall, at the base of the tower. The cutting measured 4.7m by 4.18m and revealed a demolition layer under the sod. This layer was excavated down to a second demolition layer, which was left in situ. The layer appears to date to the 19th century and is highly enriched with mortar fragments and small to medium stones. It is believed that deliberate robbing of cut stones took place, with the stones being cleaned of mortar on-site. An earlier demolition layer was not excavated and remains in situ.
Cutting 3 was situated to the north of the tower, outside the town wall. The cutting measured 1.53m by 1.13m. As with Cutting 1, modern dumped material was sitting directly on the sod layer. Underneath, similar gravel layers were uncovered, which were left in situ.
Metal detection of all spoil was undertaken throughout the excavation.
David J. O’Connor, CRDS Ltd, Unit 4a, DundrumBusinessPark, Dublin 14.
Galway 2009:382 CHURCH STREET, ATHENRY Town defence, burials 15016 22801 GA084–001 06E0177 ext.
The proposed development concerns the construction of a parish centre adjacent to the existing Catholic church in Athenry, Co. Galway. The site of the original town wall and moat was thought to survive to the immediate south-east of the development. Following consultation with the National Monuments Division, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, it was decided to test the area in advance of submitting a planning application. Testing was undertaken over a period of three days in September 2009. In the course of testing three trenches were excavated through the site of the proposed development. The trenches were excavated through an existing carpark and adjacent green space using a mechanical excavator with a toothless bucket.
In Trench A, excavation commenced in the northwest, where the gravel covering a modern sewer pipe was encountered directly below the carpark surface. Immediately south of the sewer pipe, the removal of tar and a small stone foundation for tar (C2) revealed a grey sandy clay (C3) at a depth of 0.19m. This layer was excavated for a depth of 0.33m and overlay a narrow band of compact clay (C4) 0.13m deep. A number of cut stones were recovered from C3. C5, found directly below C4, consisted of a loose stone and sandy gravel with occasional large boulders. At 4.6m from the north-west end of the trench a clay pipe was found cut into the sandy gravel (C3). At 9.7m from the north-west end the concrete covering of a modern sewer pipe was encountered and extended for a width of 2m. South of the concrete covering a loose clay layer (C6) was found directly below C2. At a depth of 1.2m the lower torso of an adult human was uncovered. The burial was orientated east–west and an examination of the area revealed a number of coffin nails. The burial (Burial 1) as revealed consisted of the longer and shorter femur bones, patella, fibula and tibia as well as the tarsus, metatarsals and phalanges. These skeletal remains extended from the west baulk of the trench. Once the remains were recorded, no further excavation work was undertaken in this area.
A gunmetal pipe was found 1.1m south-east of this burial running roughly east–west through the trench. Immediately south-east of the pipe two further human burials were encountered cut into the loose clay (C6). All of the burials (Burials 1–3) were found cut into C6 and were located at a depth of 1.22m. All of the remains were orientated east–west and, from the evidence of nails found associated with them, had been buried in coffins. The lower limbs, pelvis, vertebrae and the lower ribs were exposed in Burial 2, while the lower limbs and pelvis were revealed in Burial 3. The burial in the north was larger in size than that to the south and would appear to be an adult, while the southern burial appears to be a female or possibly a child. Once the burials were exposed and recorded, no further excavation was undertaken in this area.
Trench B was excavated 4m from Trench A and measured 15m in length and 1.5m wide. The stratigraphy was similar to Trench A with the tarred surface overlying the stone foundation for tar (C2). Below C2 there was the grey sandy clay (C3) at a depth of 0.19m. This layer was excavated for a depth of 0.4m. C5 was found directly below C3 and consisted of a loose stone and sandy gravel with occasional large boulders. At 9.6m from the northwest end of the trench the concrete covering of the sewer pipe was exposed and extended for a width of
c. 2m. Immediately south of the concrete the loose clay (C6) was encountered directly below C2; 0.5m south of the concrete covering, Burial 4 was encountered at a depth of 1.22m.
Burial 4 was the lower limbs, pelvis, vertebrae and the lower ribs of an east–west-orientated skeleton. An examination of the area surrounding the burial revealed a number of iron nails, indicating that the burial was originally in a coffin. Once revealed, no further excavation was undertaken in this area. The east–west-running pipe was uncovered 1.1m south of Burial 4. Another human burial was uncovered 0.6m south of the pipe and 2m south of Burial 5. Burial 5 was the upper body, including the lower cranium, clavicle and sternum which was revealed in the west baulk of the trench. Located at a depth of 1.23m this burial was found in C6.
Trench C was excavated in the west of the proposed development and measured 12m in length and 1.5m wide. The stratigraphy at the north-west end consisted of tar and tar foundation over a hard stoney gravel (C7), similar to C3 but more compact and more difficult to excavate. At the north end of the trench, excavations were a maximum of 0.4m in depth. A concrete covering of a water pipe was encountered at a distance of 2m from the north-west end of the trench and extended diagonally for a length of 2.5m. A human burial (Burial 6) was identified c. 0.7m south of the pipe at a depth of 0.8m. This burial was cut into C7 and appeared to be a child, orientated east–west and having evidence of a wooden box or coffin. Once the outline of the burial was exposed, no further excavation was undertaken in this area.
In the south-east end of the trench the concrete covering of the east–west-running sewer pipe was located. The gunmetal pipe was located 2m from the concrete cover. Between these features the loose clay C6 was encountered below C2 and excavated to a maximum depth of 1.5m. At the south-east end of the trench a rough stone layer was revealed at a depth of 1.3m.
The proposed development is located immediately adjacent to the site of the town wall and within the area of archaeological significance. Today the area comprises a carpark and green space associated with the Church of Assumption which was completed in 1968 and is located on the site of the earlier parish church, which dates to the 19th century. The OS maps detail the plan of the earlier church and indicate that the area of the proposed development was located outside the church building and between the church and the town wall.
The results of testing indicate that burials are located throughout the area of the proposed development. The testing uncovered six human burials, but it is most likely that more burials are located at this site. Five of the six burials were located in the green-space area in the south-east of the trenches excavated, but one burial (Burial 6) is located in the centre of the carpark. All of the burials located in the south-east of the site are found at a depth of 1.22m and all are found in a loose clay. Burial 6, however, is cut into a natural gravel layer and is found at a depth of 0.8m. All of the six burials are orientated east–west and appear to have been buried in wooden coffins. From the layout of the 19th-century church as indicated on the various OS maps, it appears most likely that the burials are associated with this church.
Trenches A and B revealed burials at the southeast end, but in Trench C there were no burials at this end and deeper excavations were possible. Unfortunately the existence of a pipe and a concrete covering curtailed the excavations; however, it was possible to excavate to a depth of 1.7m in one area. The stratigraphy here consisted of tar and tar foundation which overlay the loose clay (C6). Excavations revealed that this loose clay layer extends for a depth of at least 1.5m and for a length of at least 4–4.5m. It appears that this loose clay may represent the fill of the town fosse, which would have been located in this area. The fosse would have functioned as a defensive ditch up to 8m in width, with its outer bank being almost 1m in height. The fosse would probably have been filled with water diverted from the ClarinRiver (Rynne 1981, unpublished survey of Athenry Walls). In 1985 Etienne Rynne excavated a portion of a fosse which runs just outside the town wall (Excavations 1985, No. 28). Although greatly disturbed in modern times, it was concluded that the feature was flat-bottomed, 1.7m deep and almost 5.5m in width. The concrete covering of the sewer pipe and the pipe itself appear to have been excavated at the outer edge of the fosse, thereby preventing locating the outer edge or confirming the existence of an outer bank here. The testing at the site suggests that the majority of burials are located in the original town fosse and that the fosse was filled with a loose clay.
In 1985 Rynne excavated a portion of a fosse which runs just outside the town wall. Although greatly disturbed in modern times, it was concluded that the feature was flat-bottomed, 1.7m deep and almost 5.5m in width. The concrete covering of the sewer pipe and the pipe itself appear to have been excavated at the outer edge of the fosse thereby preventing locating the outer edge or confirming the existence of an outer bank here. The archaeological testing at the site suggests that the majority of burials are located in the original town fosse and that the fosse was filled with a loose clay.
Fiona Rooney and Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch Consultancy Ltd, New Line, Athenry, Co. Galway.
